Detachable cover for gun mechanism



April 12, 1960 1 M. STEEN DETACHABLE covER FOR GUN MECHANISM Filed May l2, 1959 /o /9 FIG. /I

INV ENTOR. .Lou/s Ml STEEN BY .AT TORNEYS Stat@ Patent DETACHABLE CGVER FOR GUN WCHANISM Louis M. Steen, Belle Fourche, S. Dak. Application May 12, 1959, Serial No. 812,648

3 Claims. (Cl. 150--52) My invention relates generally to protective devices for guns and more particularly to cover members designed to protect only the breech and trigger mechanisms of ries, Shotguns and the like.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described which may be readily attached to and detached from a mechanism protecting position on conventional rearms of the type not incorporating the so-called bolt action.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which so completely covers the firing mechanism including the trigger of the gun, when in operative position, that accidental discharge of the gun through manual manipulation of the trigger is greatly reduced.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class above described which is relatively waterproof and thus materially reduces the danger of rusting of the mechanical parts covered thereby.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is inexpensive to produce, which is light in weight, which is rugged and durable in construction, and which may be used repeatedly without fear of marring of the gun surface.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specication, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a view in side elevation showing my novel device in operative position covering the breech and trigger mechanism of a conventional shoulder-engaging lirearm;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the structure of Fig. 1 with the gun removed therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation of the structure of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section taken on the lined-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section as seen from the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a View in perspective of the skeletonized frame of my novel cover.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety an elongated skeletonized frame which defines an axial passageway 2. As shown particularly in Fig. 7, the frame' 1 includes longitudinally spaced front and rear matching frame members 3, 4 respectively, preferably formed from exible resilient strips of steel. Front and rear frame members 3, 4 each include closed bottom portions 5, upstanding sides 6 and partial top elements 7, 7a which cooperate Vto deiine a normally closed mouth 8. At their extreme free ends and upwardly of the mouth 8 the front and rear frame members 3, 4 are formed to provide upwardly and outwardly diverging jaw elements 9, 10. Connecting the lower end portions 5 of the front and rear frame mem- '2,932,334 V- Patented Apr. .12, 196119` bers'S, 4 are laterally spaced longitudinally extended bottom frame members 11, 12. Connecting the divergent upper ends of the jaw elements 9,10 are longitudinally extended upper frame members 13, 14.

A cover for the frame 1 is identiiiedby the numeral 1S and includes inner and outer cover members 16 and 17 respectively, each of which isV in snug engagement with the adjacentsurface portions of the frame 1 and hence closely follows the contour defined thereby, thus eiectively forming an open ended tube. As shown, the inner and outer cover members 16, 17 are joined together along the marginal edges of the frame 1, as indicated at 18, the outer cover 17 being formed from any suitable liexible fabric or other material which is relatively moistureproof so as to afford a maximum of protection from the elements to the trigger and breech mechanism of conventional rearrns A enclosed therein, as shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, the inner cover member 16 is formed from relatively soft mat-like material 19, such as sheepskin, alpaca pile or the like, so as to positively eliminate any danger of scratching of the surface of the gun in contact therewith.

As shown particularly in Figs. l and 2, the space between the rear end portions of the bottom frame members 11, 12 provides room for the trigger guard 20 of ,a conventional firearm A and for this purpose I provide a depending pocket 21 formed from the inner and outer cover members 16, 17.

Also preferably and as shown, a loop-forming handle 22 is secured to the bottom frame members 11, 12 for- Wardly of the trigger guard receiving pocket 21, to facilitate insertion and removal of my frame 1 and associated parts over the mechanism of a firearm A.

Because of the resilient nature of the front and' rear frame members 3, 4, it should be obvious that when the operator wishes to cover the breech and trigger mechanism of a rearm A, it is but necessary for him to grasp the handle 22 and thereafter force the underside of the rearm A between the divergent jaw elements 9, 10 so as to open the mouth S. When the mechanism is totally received within the passageway 2, the mouth 8 will snap closed as shown in Fig. 4, thus excluding rain, dust and such undesirable elements from such covered parts. When it is desired to remove the frame 1 and associated parts from a mechanism covering position, it is but necessary for the operator to pull downwardly on the handle 22, or alternatively to spread the jaw elements 9, 10 by pulling laterally upon the upper frame members 13, 14.

My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects and while l have shown a preferred embodiment thereof, I wish it to be understood that same may be capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What 1 claim is:

1. A detachable cover for the trigger and breech mechanism of elongated shoulder-engaging firearms, said cover comprising an elongated open ended frame defining an axial passageway, said frame being formed from flexible resilient material and including a bottom, opposite sides and a normally closed mouth-forming top, said mouth extending longitudinally of said frame and including upwardly and outwardly diverging jaw elements which are spread apart to open said mouth when the mechanism bearing intermediate portion of a gun is forced downwardly therebetween whereby to permit said mechanism to be enclosed within said cover, said frame being skeletonzed and including front and rear relatively narrow loop-forming frame members, laterally spaced longitudinally extended bottom frame members connecting said front and rear frame members and longitudinally extended upper frame members connecting the divergent ends of 3 v said j'aw elements, and outer and inner cover members formed from relatively soft sheet material.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the space between said bottom framemembers provides a recess for the reception of a depending trigger guard of a gun received in said cover.

3. 'The structure defined in claim 2 in further combination with a loop-forming handle secured to said bottom frame members forwardly of said trigger guard forming recess.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,368,646 Morrow Feb. 15, 1921 1,851,681 Muzzey et a1. Mar. 29, 1932 2,542,667 Hanson Feb. 20, 1951 

